[northfifeduckling]

I took my mum and kids up to Culdees for a day - what a lovely place, fabulous people and what a project! (see introductions - culdee project).
My thoughts after the visit - Maryse needs more volunteers to help with hands-on stuff, like the permaculture gardening,  the animals, building, etc. Great opportunity for Gap years and work experience for organic agri-students!
Most of all help is needed with fundraising and eco-grants! If anyone with experience in this field can spare some time for this cause, that would be absolutely fabulous!
maryse@culdees-ecovillage.co.uk
 

[Tullywood Farm]

Have they tried the Woofers web site. 

WWOOF  Stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, and links volunteers with organic farmers, smallholders and gardeners.

www.wwoof.org

It is worth them joining as a host if they can offer volunteers food and a bed.  We have a 26ft touring caravan, and offer that as private accommodation, it has central heating, shower, loo, cooking facilities and fridge, although they eat with the family, and I do their washing and drying of clothes and bedding.

We have a student returning to us for September from France. 
He studied Agriculture at college, at National park level, and Zoo keeping- Emu's.  We had him here in July, and he is coming back for most of September as we had such fun, and got lots done too.

He is unemployed, but can travel to learn English and work as a volunteer.

WWOOF Hosting is based in the UK.  You need to set your details and expectations out according to the sites guidelines, and make sure you speak to the volunteers on the phone, we had one french student who was using a translation package to send us emails, and when he arrived he could not speak english at all - we had a tough few weeks trying to get anything through to him.

We tend to pick the French people because we have close neighbours and friends who speak french so it helps when socialising and going out.  But all nationalities are on the volunteers list.

It might help - Its available to all other Smallholders too

Julie